Baby bouncer



Nov. 7, 1961 J. v. Rossl 3,007,667

BABY BoUNcER Filed June 17. 1959 JMW, Mam@ 2 7 United States Patent O 3,007,667 BABY BOUNCER Joseph V. Rossi, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Comfort Lines, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 17, 1959, Ser. No. 820,936 Claims. (Cl. 248-399) The present invention relates generally to jumper-seats for infants and, more particularly, to a jumper-seat which incorporates improved and safer bouncing action and which is readily positionable through positive locking means between an erected seat-forming condition and a compact collapsed condition .for storage or shipment.

The jumper-seat, to be more fully described herein, provides improved bouncing action and materially reduces the po-ssibility of a child being thrown from the jumper-seat by suspending the seat on a linkage which is designed to maintain the seat in parallel relation to the ground or floor during bouncing action. Injury to a child playing in the disclosed jumper-seat is further avoided by the manner in which the linkage is formed and by the cantilevered support of the linkage and seat from a point located below and rearwardly of the seat. In addi-tion, the positive locking means constitutes an over-the-center lever arrangement which is operable to reliably maintain the jumper-seat in erected condition without fear of collapse and to releasably lock the seat in collapsed condition.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved collapsible jumper-seat for infants. Further objects of the invention are the provision of a jumper-seat which incorporates toeoperated means for positively locking the jumper-seat in either collapsed or erected condition, which provides improved bouncing action with maximum safety, which is self-supporting in a vertically extending position when collapsed, and which is of sturdy and economical construction. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein there is described and shown one embodiment of a jumper-seat in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a jumper-seat which embodies various features of the invention and which is shown in erected condition;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the jumperseat of FIGURE l in collapsed, generally horizontal condition', and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the collapsed jumper-seat standing on one end.

Basically, a jumper-seat in accordance with this invention comprises a base 13- and a seat 15 carried on a seat frame 17 which is supported on the base 13 by a linkage 19. An over-the-center lever 21 is spring connected with the linkage 19 to selectively effect support of the seat for bouncing action and to afford collapsing of the seat to the position shown in FIGURE 2.

The base 13 is preferably constructed of chrome plated, heavy gauge steel tubing and, as shown in the drawings, is generally U shaped to provide an enlarged, stable base for the seat. The base 13 is bent to provide a pair of parallel legs 23 having central portions 25 disposed for engagement with the floor and a forwardly disposed, raised transverse portion 27 connecting the parallel legs. The free end portions of the parallel legs 23 are bent into generally upright condition relative to the central leg portions 25, to provide a pair of spaced-apart stanchions or posts 29 from which the seat frame is suspended by the linkage 19. In addition, the free ends of the base are suitably capped as shown to eliminate sharp edges, and rubber guards or coasters 31 are attached to the central leg portions 25 to prevent shifting movement of the jumper-seat and/or scratching of the floor.

The seat frame 17 is also formed of chrome plated, heavy gauge, tubular steel and is of U shape having a pair of side bars 33 and a forwardly disposed cross bar 35. Extending between the side bars is a brace 3-7 which preferably carries an assorted selection of non-toxic plastic beads. Located forwardly of the cross brace 37 is a tray 39 which is preferably of high-impact plastic and which may be removably snapped into the seat frame 17.

Located adjacent the rearward end of the seat frame 17 is a generally U shaped rod having bent free end portions 41a which are inserted in a pair of holes 42, one of which is located in each of the side bars 33, to provide hinged movement of the rod 41 between a collapsed position in parallel, overlying relation to the seat frame and a rearwardly disposed, generally upright position. This latter position is determined by engagement of the bent portions 41a with the upper surface of the rearward ends of the side bars 33. The rod 41, in cooperation with the cross brace 37 and the side bars 33, forms a skeleton frame from which a combined bucket seat and back rest 43 is removably carried, as shown, by slipping the back rest portion over the rod 41 land by snapping the seat portion over the side bars 33 and cross brace 37. The combined bucket seat and back rest 43 can be made from a wide selection of plastic or fabric materials but is preferably fabricated of laminated nylon fabric which is Washable.

The linkage 19 which supports the seat frame 17 is designed to maintain the side bars 33 in parallel relation to the floor during bouncing movement and constitutes, on each side of the seat 15, a pair of links 47 and 49 which are pivotally connected to the side bar and to the upright base stanchion 29. More specifically, the links 47 are pivotally connected at one of their ends to adjacent the rearward end of the side bars 33, are hinged at a rearward point therealong about pivots 51 adjacent the top of the upright base stanchions 29, and are disposed with their other ends extending rearwardly past the stanchions 29. In the particular illustrated construction, the links 47 constitute segments of a unitary U shaped member 53 having a transverse segment 55 which connects the links 47 rearwardly of the pivots 51. The inclusion of the links 47 in a unitary member strengthensl the construction and provides for simultaneous action of the linkage on each side of the seat 15.

The other links 49 are connected at their upper ends to adjacent the forward ends of the side bars 33, and are hinged at their lower ends about pivots 57 carried by the upright stanchions 27 at a point below the p-ivots 51. The possibility of a child catching his fingers, arms or clothing between the links and the side bars during bouncing action is substantially eliminated by bending the links to provide an angle between their upper ends and the side bars which is approximately degrees when the ju-mper-seat is erected.

Support of the jumper-seat in erected condition and locking of the unit in either erected or collapsed condition is accomplished through a spring and lever arrangement. More particularly, the disclosed jumper-seat is supported in seat forming condition by a pair of helical tension springs 65 which resist spreading of the rearward ends of the links y47 and 49, thereby balancing the bouncing action of an infant in lthe seat. Each of the springs is connected to the transverse segment 55 of the member 53 and to a U shaped bracket 59 which includes a pair of side arms 63 hingedly connected to the pivots 57 and a bridging arm 61 connecting the side arms 63. As a result, the bridging arm 61 is urged under action of the springs 65, into supporting engagement with the under surface of the links 49, thereby locating the links 47 and 49 in position for resiliently maintaining the seat at the desired distance above the iloor. Of course, one or m-ore springs could be used instead of the disclosed pair of springs.

Positioning of the jumper-seat in either the erected or collapsed condition is also accomplished through cooperation between the helical springs 65 and the bracket 59 which constitutes an over-the-center lever. Over-thecenter action is obtained by forming the springs 65 with a relaxed length which is less than the maximum distance along the links 47 between the transverse bow segment 55 and the pivots 57 plus the length along the bracket side arms 63 from the pivot 57 t0 the bridging arm 61. Location of the seat 15 at the desired height above the floor is obtained by proportioning the springs 65 so that when the bracket 59 is over the center in jumper-seat erecting condition and engaged with the links 49, the springs 65 extend in relaxed condition from the bracket bridging arm 61 to the transverse segment 55 of the member 53. When a child is placed in the seat and begins to bounce, this effect is counter balanced by the springs, 65, permitting the seat frame to move vertically while remaining generally parallel to the floor.

Collapse of the jumper-seat from the erected condition can be readily effected by swinging the bracket bridging arm 61 downwardly and rearwardly against the action of the springs 65 until it moves past center. Beyond this point, spring action results in swinging movement of the linkage 19 and seat frame 17 into the collapsed condition, as shown in FIGURE 2, with the transverse base portion 27 being disposed in adjacent relation to the cross bar 35 of the seat frame. In this relation, the transverse base portion 27 provides a convenient handle by which the jumper may be carried. Of course, either before r after collapse, the back bow 41 may be swung forwardly into generally parallel overlying relation to the seat frame.

Another desirable feature is the incorporation of a pair of additional leg members 67 which are located rearwardly of the pivots 51 and 57 to increase the effective base area of the jumper-seat, thereby providing a more stable unit, and which, in cooperation with the member 53, permit the folded jumper-seat to be stood on its end as shown in FIGURE 3. While numerous arrangements can be utilized to provide the above features, in the disclosed construction the additional leg members 67 are formed with sections 69 by which the leg members 67 are attached to the base 13 and end sections 71 which extend to a point disposed in rearwardly spaced relation to the base 13 in position for engagement with the oor. The leg members 67 are connected to the base 13 by passing the pivots 51 and 57 through the sections 69 and by locating the sections 69 between the stanchions 29 and the links 47 and 49.

When stood on its end, as shown in FIGURE 3, the collapsed jumper-seat is supported by the end sections 71 of the leg members 67 and by the ends of the links 47 adjacent the transverse segment 55. In this connection, when the jumper-seat is collapsed, as seen in FIGURE 2, the relaxed length of the springs 65 coupled with the formation of the U shaped member 53, disposes the floor engaging ends of the links 47 above the pivots 51. Thus, the floor engaging ends of the links 47 are stabilized by the springs 65 to prevent the collapsed unit from tipping over.

Setting up of the jumper-seat from collapsed to erected condition can also be accomplished with minimum effort. In this regard, when the unit is located in the collapsed horizontal position shown in FIGURE 2, downward foot pressure may be readily applied to the bridging arm 61 of the bracket 59, thereby throwing the bracket over center against the spring action. When the bracket passes over center, spring action causes upward swinging movement of the U shaped member 53 to position the seat frame 17 in elevated relation to the base 13 and to cause engagement of the bracket with the under surface of the links 49.

Thus, the disclosed jumper-seat may be easily and reliably disposed in either erected or collapsed positions by movement of the bracket 59. Moreover, location of the bracket and springs to the rearward of -the seat, coupled with the general disposition of the supporting links, including their right angle relation to the seat frame, prevents a child from getting himself or his clothing caught in the jumper-seat. Moreover, bouncing movement of the jumper is alfort-ded without introducing any significant tipping of the seat frame, thereby materially lessening the danger of a child being thrown or falling from the jumper-seat. In addition, the seat is capable of being collapsed to a compact condition and can be stored either horizontally on its base or upright on one end.

Numerous changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed construction to achieve certain of the features mentioned herein without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

l. A baby jumper comprising a generally horizontal base frame including a pair of spaced-apart, generally vertically extending posts adjacent one end thereof, a seat frame, a pair of links on each side of said seat frame which are pivotally connected at one end at spaced-apart positions along said seat frame and are pivotally connected adjacent the other end at spaced-apart positions along the adjacent one of said vertically extending posts, with Lthe one link of each of said pairs which is connected to said post at the uppermost pivot thereon having a portion extending past said post, a U-shaped lever pivotally mounted at opposite ends thereof on said posts with the bight portion thereof being swingable into underlying engagement with each of the other of said links at a position therealong intermediate said posts and said seat frame, and a spring connected between said bight portion and said one link at a position on said extending portion, whereby pivotal movement of said lever selectively places said spring and lever in position to hold said links and seat frame above said base or permit collapse of the jumper seat toward said base frame.

2. A baby jumper comprising a generally horizontal base frame including -a pair of spaced-apart, upwardly extending posts adjacent one end thereof, a seat frame, a pair of links on each side of said seat frame which are pivotally connected between spaced-apart positions `along said seat frame and spaced-apart positions along said post to form a quadrangle for collapsibly supporting the seat frame above the base frame, a generally U-shaped lever having opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on said posts and including a bight portion which is swingable into underlying engagement with the links having the Ilowermost pivot connection with said posts at a position along said links intermediate said posts and said seat frame, each of the other of said links extending beyond said posts on the side opposite said seat frame, and a spring connected between said bight portion of said lever and said other links lat a position along said extending portions.

3. A collapsible baby jumper comprising a generally horizontal base frame including a generally vertically extending post adjacent one end thereof, a seat frame movable relative to said base frame between a seat forming position and a collapsed position, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end at spaced-apart positions along said seat frame and pivotally connected adjacent the other end at spaced-apart posit-ions along said vertically extending post, with the one link which is connected to said post at the uppermost pivot thereon having a portion extending past said post, a lever pivotally mounted on said post, said lever including a portion which is engageable with the underside of the other of said links, and a spring connected between said lever portion and said one link portion whereby, when said seat frame is in its seat forming position, said spring urges said lever portion into seat frame supporting engagement with the undersurface of said other link and the downward movement of said pair of links produces tension on opposite ends of said springs, and whereby said lever can be swung away from said other link against the action of said spring to permit movement of said seat frame to its collapsed position.

4. A collapsible jumper comprising a generally horizont-al base frame including a generally vertically extending post adjacent one end thereof, a seat frame movable relative to said base frame between a seat forming position and a collapsed position, a pair of links pivotally connected at one end at spaced-apart positions along said fname and pivotally connected -adjacent the other end at spaced-apart positions along said extending post, with the one link which is connected to said post at the uppermost pivot thereon having a portion extending on the side of said post opposite said seat frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said post, said lever including la portion which is engageable with the undersurface of the other of said links at a position intermediate said post and said seat frame, and a spring connected between said lever portion and said one link at a position on said extending portion of said one link, whereby, when said seat frame is in its seat forming position, said spring is disposed transversely of said post and urges said lever portion into seat frame supporting engagement with the undersurface of said other link, the opposite ends of said spring being under tension due to the movement of said links when said seat frame moves toward said base frame, and whereby said lever can be swung away from said other link against the action of said spring to permit movement of said seat frame to its collapsed position.

S. A collapsible baby jumper comprising a generally horizontal base frame including an upwardly extending post adjacent one end thereof, a seat frame movable relative to said base frame between a seat forming position and a collapsed position, a pair of links pivotally connected between spaced-apart positions along said seat frame and spaced-apart positions along said post to form ia quadrangle for collapsibly supporting a seat above the base frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said post, said lever including a portion thereof which is swingable between positions on opposite sides of said post and in one of said positions is engageable with the unders-urface of the link having the lowermost pivot connection with said post at a position along said link intermediate said post and said seat frame, the other of said links having a portion extending beyond Said post on the side opposite said seat frame, and a spring connected between said lever portion and said other link at `a position along said extending portion whereby, when said seat frame is in the seat forming condition, said lever portion is yieldingly urged into seat frame supporting engagement with the undersurface of said link having the lowermost pivotal connection with said post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,960,939 Hansen May 29, 1934 2,714,001 Hersey July 26, 1955 2,785,730 Skirvin Mar. 19, 1957 2,815,064 Witzel Dec. 3, 1957 2,927,628 Gill Mar. 8, 1960 

